Zidane: What a disgrace!

Stayed up to watch the world cup finals last night. What a disgraceful headbutt by Zidane! The New Paper this morning said there is likely to be an uproar because the officials used tv replays before deciding to give him the red card. But well, if he didn't get one, that would just spoil the Beautiful Game completely. Maybe some form of tv replays are necessary. Or maybe just more referee assistants?

Whatever, the headbutt was absolutely shameful. Zidane should be publicly flogged! So some people said he should be forgiven because the other guy probably said something offensive to him. Let's assume the guy said something offensive, so what? Scold him back, or go outside settle after the game lah! No way you should hit someone on the pitch, at the World Cup final too! And by the way, its not the first time Zidane has hit someone on the pitch in an important tournament. Which is even more reason why he needs to be flogged. Oh, and he can still go ahead and win the most valuable player of the tournament? What a disgrace, Fifa! You do not award someone this prestigious title if he has ruined the beauty of the game with his behaviour!

You know, the americans must be laughing away. Especially with so many matches decided on penalties in this world cup, what a joke. Penalties spoil the game too, especially ones like last night! The goalies didn't have a chance in any of the kicks, how exciting is that? It makes the Superbowl so much more fun to watch. After 1 month of competition, it's all down to penalties, which the goalies didn't even have a chance, what a joke! I say bring in the golden goal or come up with some other sort of set piece like they do in American Football.

In the past, Fifa and the rest of the soccer world have laughed at the way American football uses high tech communication between referees and assistants, their numerous linesmen, tv replays and such. Judging from what we've seen, looks like the Americans will have the last laugh, as usual. World cup 2008 is going to see much more high tech communication, tv replays, and more linesmen, or the game's just gonna get uglier. So much for the beautiful game....

To be frank, I didn't think either team were that great. Especially when Italy played the 10 men defence, that just made the game so boring! They should have a rule that u can't have more than 5 in the penalty box. Kinda something like the 3 second rule in NBA and all that (again the americans came up with the smart ideas first) to prevent such boring play. Yah sure some purists will say you shouldn't restrict play so much, but seriously, 10 men in the penalty box? I thought we were watching rugby! And its not as if they already had the lead. Truth is, the teams were playing like they wanted a penalty shootout towards the end, and that's just such a shame!

I'll prefer an Argentina-Brazil final anyday; anyday man!